Wrest Park was taken over by English Heritage in 2007 and thus began the process of restoring the property which had been neglected and hidden from public view for half a century.
The gardens including this "Italian" garden are beginning to show how wonderful this property must have been in its heyday.
These formal gardens survive from the original house and gardens which were laid out originally in the early eighteenth century for Henry Grey, the first Duke of Kent.
The present house was built in the 1830s to designs by the owner, Thomas de Grey, based on the kind of architecture that was fashionable in France at the time. restoration is still taking place but here are some photos from the part of the house which is open to the public at present.
How's that for an ornate ceiling?
Meanwhile outside there's also a French inspired garden with much statuary:
And a rose garden which was indicated on an old drawing has been re-created:
A long, long avenue leads down in front of the house, initially gravel near the house, then a lovely lawn, followed by a large body of water and finally an elegant pavilion:
On either side of this main avenue are woodlands with hidden treasures like this little "Chinese temple":
The whole restoration project is expected to take 20-odd years. If I'm still around I look forward to seeing the final result.
Take care.
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